Howling at the Moon

Every the full moon rises over Austin's dark sky, Barton Springs Pool honors that full moon by staying open a little later than usual for ‘Howl at the Moon Night.”


Carla, I, and the hippie in both of us went down to Barton Springs Pool to howl at the moon with the best of them. I drove around to the back entrance that was obviously closed from the lack of cars but we were determined to give it a try. Try we did, we started climbing over this fence that separated us from are fellow howlers but within two seconds the lifeguard from across the pool was yelling at us “GET OFF THE FENCE.” I had already made it to the other side and Carla was still on the ground on the other side laughing at me. I ended up climbing back over and we both ran to my car as fast as our short legs could take us to drive to the front entrance. Side note- I can’t remember the last time I climbed a fence- I definitely lost my fence climbing skills because I have a huge scrape on my leg from going over the top. Anyway, we drove around to the front, pulled into a rock star parking space and walked in as everyone’s chins were held high howling at the bright full moon. I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks and join in on the howling. People were in the pool swimming, jumping off diving boards, laughing, talking and howling. It was a brilliant and beautiful night.

I find comfort in knowing that wherever I go I will never let the fear of what others think or of what I think people are thinking prevent me from howling at the moon ever again.